Refrigeration apparatus



NOV. 20, 1934. STOCK 1,981,606v

REFRIGERAT I ON APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1933 lls 505%- z Mil/4" Jill/{I28;

g 3?. 20 3o 5 I 26 Fig 3 INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,981,606REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Anthony '1. Stock, Elmwood Park, Ill.

Application June 15, 1933, Serial No. 675,891

20 Claims. (01. 62-115) This invention relates to refrigeration systemsand has particular reference -to those systems wherein a compressor isenclosed in a container into which the compressor discharges.

hold refrigeration systems, it is customary to have some type ofcompressor discharge into a vessel within which said compressor isusually located, and within which there is located a body of lubricant.The lubricant under exhaust pressure is either forced or pumped throughvarious portions of the compressor to lubricate and seal the same.

In a system of this character, the high pressure container or dome intowhich the compressor discharges usually gives access to one end of acondensing system. The other end'of .the condensing system communicateswith a receiver and evaporator, and from thence the gas returns to thecompressor.

In'systems of this character serious difficulties have been encounteredby virtue of tho condensation of the refrigerant immediately upon itsdischarge from the compressor into the high-pressure container. Suchcondensation results in a mixture of lubricant and refrigerant withinthe high pressure container. Various evils are directly traceable tothis. The first and most obvious lies in the dilution of the lubricantand manifests itself finally in a rapid and destructive wear of bearingsurfaces within the compressor. In certain systems wherein a separateoil cooling bath is provided, it frequently happens that the liqueliedrefrigerant displacesthe lubricant in theoil cooling portion of thesystem, with disastrous results to the entire system.

Another evil directly traceable to this phenomenon is an undue andextremely rapid accumulation of lubricant in the condenser and thence inthe evaporator Through the operation of the system there is a morepronounced tendency for lubricant to accumulate in the evaporator,resulting in a consequent dislocation of the main bodies of lubricantand refrigerant.

A particularly objectionable phenomenon in that once a machine begins tooperate in th s manner, it will continue to do so under normalconditions for an indefinite length of time.

Various means have been proposed to cure this. Thus, for example. in onesystem the body of lubricant is maintained at a predetermined elevatedtemperature by means of a heater. In other systems the heat of thedriving motor or heat from the compressor is conserved to a sufficientextent so that avoidance of condensation is attained.

In houseconnection with this condensation lies in the fact Thisexpedient is operative only after the mechanism has been functioninglong enough to become warm.

These expedients, however, are more or less unsatisfactory for thereason that they are inherently inefiicient, add to the complexity ofthe machine and the expense of operation.

Another trouble experienced in practice with such machines is occasionedby the handling during shipment from the factory. If the unit is turnedupside down or even on its side for any length of time, the locations ofthe lubricant and refrigerant change with respect to the machinery. Thelubricant settles in the condenser, so that when the machine is rightedand op- 'erated, the lubricant is driven into the receiver orevaporator. while the refrigerant collects in the compression chamber.It is customary to ship units in containers marked as to desired restingposition to avoid this displacement phenomeno'n. However, a number ofunits invariably become disarranged by the time they reach thepurchasers hands. In that case a service call or even replacementbecomes necessary.

An object of this invention is to devise a systom wherein no attempt ismade to inhibit such condensation but rather to encourage lt'and makeuse thereof.

A further object is to devise such a system in which there will be notendency to convey lubricant into the evaporator. Other and ancillaryobjects will be apparent from the general statement of invention anddetailed description and claims.

In general this invention contemplates a con- 'tainer within which islocated a body of lubricant exposed to the discharge pressure.Preferably, though not necessarily, the compressor is mounted withinthis container. In connection with the following description of thedetailed system,

the motor is also shown as mounted within the container. This, however,is not necessary and it is to be clearly understood that this inventionis not to be restricted thereto.

The compressor discharges into the interior of the high-pressurecontainer or dome. -The refrigerant is preferably sulphur dioxide orsimilar compound from and on which lubricant will at least partiallyseparate and float. A condenser has one end thereof in communicationwith the container, preferably the upper portion thereof. The other endof the condenser also. communicat-es with the interior of the container,preferably at the lower portion thereof, or with a receptacle to belater described. For most em- 1 cient operation, the lower condenser endshould communicate with such a region in the container that is normallyabove any liquid level. Hence, the high-pressure gas can enter thecondenser at each end thereof while permitting the lower end of thecondenser to discharge liquefied refrigerant into the container. Thiscondenser refrigerant drops through the body of lubricant and functionsas a cooling agent therefor.

Connected to the container or dome is a float controlled receptaclewithin which liquefied refrigerant for the high side of the system islocated and from which it is fed by a valve controlled bythe float tothe low side of the system. This receptacle is so related to thecontainenbottom that a flow of liquefied refrigerant is induced thereto.To promote this, the container bottom.

preferably slopes and has its lowest portion directly connected withsaid receptacle. The receptacle or a substantial portion thereof, is

' located below the lowest liquid level in the container.

Inasmuch as the liquid in the float chamber is relatively quiescent, itis clear that conditions for a separation of oil and refrigerant thereinare optimum. The float is preferably so arranged that it will sink inoil but float in liquid refrigerant. Hence, the liquid passed by thefloat-controlled valve is substantially as free of oil as possible.

To prevent any substantial accumulation of gas in the float chamber frombinding the operation thereof, I preferably provide a communicationbetween the top of the float receptacle and a higher space in thecontainer or dome.

From the bottom portion of the receptacle,

a suitable outlet is provided, whereby the refriger ant is used in theconventional manner for refrigerating purposes.

It will be seen that with this invention, it is immaterial whethercondensation takes place within the condenser, within the container, orboth. In fact, if sufficient cooling of the container is naturallyprovided for, a condenser, as such, may be eliminated entirely, thusmaking the container a combined condenser and highpressure dischargeregion. Because all liquefied refrigerant must pass through asupernatant layer of oil, it is clear that any oil mist or. highlyemulsified oil particles discharged from the compressor will be reunitedwith the main body of oil prior to the agglomeration of the variousparticles of liquefied refrigerant.

Since the liquefied refrigerant in the receptacle is as free of oil aspossible in the ordinary operation of any such refrigerator system, itis evi- 7 dent that but little lubricant will tend to collect in theevaporator. What little may be trans- -mitted to the evaporator throughthe property of mutual solution between refrigerant and oil will bereturned by means of the ordinary oil return expedients in common use. v

In order that a more detailed description of the invention may be given,reference will now 6. The. compressor dischargesthrough a pipe '7 intothe region 10 within dome 2. Connected in parallel to region 10 withindome 2 is a condenser 15.

. It will be noted that base, 1 has its inside surface 16 sloping towarda region 17. Passin through base 1,-at region 17, is a pipe 18, givingaccess to a receptacle 20. Within receptacle 20 is a float 21cooperatively associated with a valve 22, controlling an outlet opening23 at the bottom of the receptacle 20. Outlet opening 23 is connected bya pipe 25 with any suitable evaporator 26, from which vaporizedrefrigerant is sucked into-the compressor by a conduit 28.

Within dome 2 is a body of lubricating oil, which has suitable access tothe motor and compressor assembly 5 to lubricate and seal the same.Preferably, both ends of condenser 15 are above the normal oil level.The refrigerant used in the system is heavier than the lubricant and mayconsist of sulphur dioxide. 1

The compressed refrigerant discharged from pipe"! is suitably condensedeither by condenser 15 or by the walls of dome 2 and finally appears inliquefied form in lubricant 30. Since. the liquefied refrigerant isheavier than the lubricant, it falls to bottom 16 of base 1. In seekingthe lowest level 1'1 of base 1, it drops into pipe 18 and thence intoreceptacle 20. The top of receptacle 20 communicates by means of aconduit 35 with dome 2 at a point above the top of the receptacle.

Within receptacle 20 there is a body of liquefied refrigerant 36. Abovethis is a supernatant body of lubricant 37. The relative proportions oflubricant and refrigerant may be determined by experiment. It is obviousthat the amount of lubricant in.receptacle 20 is a function of the totalquantity of lubricant in the system and may be varied to suit individualneeds.

Float 21 is so designed that it is buoyant only in liquefied refrigerantand will sink in lubricant. It is evident, therefore, that at outlet 23only liquefied refrigerant will be permitted to pass.

Within receptacle 20 the liquid is relatively quiescent and permits aseparation of the lubricant and refrigerant into two different layers.The amount of lubricant within liquefied refrigerant 36 will only bethat which the refrigerant holds in solution. While evaporator 26 isshown as located below receptacle 20 and dome '2, it is not limited tothis position: Evaporator 26 may be located abovethe rest of the systemif desired. In Fig. 2, there is shown a modification in which thecondenser and separate receptacle are eliminated. Dome 2 has a pluralityof fins 50 disposed on the outside thereof and adapted to radiate heat.On the inside wall of dome 2 is a sheet metal member 51, the middleportion of which is spaced from wall 2, while the ends thereof arejoined at 52 and 53 respectively to the dome 2. of apertures 55 and ineffect is adapted to form an annular region 60 between member 51 anddome 2 to promote the condensation of compressed refrigerant. l

Base 61 is formed as a dish-shaped member with its lowest point 62 atthe center thereof. Region 62 communicates with 2, depending receptacle63. Receptacle 63 may be integral with base 61 or may be formed as aseparate member and bolted or secured thereto. It will be noted,however, that receptacle 63 communicates with dome 2 by means of arelatively small aperture 62, forming the lowest region toward which theinside surface of base 61 slopes; The motor and compressor assembly 5may be mounted on base Member 51 is provided with a plurality 61 bymeans of a suitable spider '75. Within receptacle 63 is a float 64controlling a valve 65 cooperatively associated with an' outlet 66. Thisoutlet gives access to a conduit 67. Connected in this conduit is asuitable liquid refrigerant control 68, which may be any device such asan expansion valve, capillary tube or additional float chamber. Beyondcontrol 68 is an evaporator comprising coiled piping 69 leading to a gasreturn 70 back to motor compressor assembly 5.

Dome 2 has within it a body of lubricant 30 and within receptacle 63 isa supplementary body of lubricant 37, while immediately below it is thebody of liquefied refrigerant 36. Float 64 preferably has the samebuoyant properties as float 21.

In operation, compressed refrigerant discharged from outlet 7 withindome 2 fills the space within the dome. Annular region 60 is maintainedat a sufficiently low temperature because of heat radiation by fins 50so that condensation takes place there.

In Fig. 3, condenser 15 is connected between dome 2 and receptacle 20.In this way, condensed refrigerant within coils 15 is lead directly intoreceptacle 20. Any condensation within dome 2 is relieved by the flow ofliquefied refrigerant down pipe 18 into receptacle 20.

It is evident, that because of the heat of compression, as well as thedissipation of heat by the motor, continued generation of heat withinthe dome or container 2 will result. On the other hand, the liquefiedrefrigerant receptacle does not have any heat generated therein. It isclear, therefore, thatduring the normal operation of the system, andunder normal conditions of heat dissipation such as might obtain in caseof aircooling, there will be a substantial difference of temperaturebetween the container and receptacle, with the container, of course,being at a high er temperature.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerating system, a container having a body of lubricanttherein, compressing means adapted to discharge into said container,means for condensing said compressed refrigerant and depositing saidcondensed refrigerant in a receptacle, said receptacle adapted to hold apredetermined amount of liquid refrigerant in storage, communicatingmeans from lowest portion of container to upper portion of receptacleallowing liquid refrigerant condensed in container. to flow toreceptacle, said receptacle being so disposed relative to said containerthat during normal operation, with normal heat dissipation, saidreceptacle is maintained at a substantially lower temperature than saidcontainer, valving means controlled by float in said receptacle, saidfloat adapted to sink in lubricant but float in refrigerant, releasingany additional refrigerant from receptacle for refrigerating purposes.

2. ma refrigeration system, a container having a body of lubricanttherein, a compressor adapted to discharge into said container operatingon a refrigerant which in liquid phase is heavier than said lubricant,means for condensing said compressed refrigerant in said container, aliquid refrigerant storage receptacle having a substantial portion ofits storage space below said container bottom, said receptaclecommunicating with said container and adapted to induce a flow thereinof said liquid refrigerant from said container, said receptacle being sodisposed relative to said container that during normal operation, withnormal heat dissipation, said receptacle is maintained at asubstantially lower temperature than said container and means forutilizing said liquefied refrigerant for refrigeration purposes.

3. In a refrigeration system, a container having a body of lubricanttherein, said container having a sloping bottom whereby liquid fallingon said bottom tends to drain off, a compressor adapted to dischargeinto said container operating on a refrigerant which in liquid phase isheavier than said lubricant, means for condensing said compressedrefrigerant and depositing said liquefied refrigerant in said container,a liquid refrigerant storage receptacle communicating with saidcontainer and adapted to induce a flow therein of said liquefiedrefrigerant from said container, said receptacle being so disposedrelative to said container that during normal operation, with normalheat dissipation, said receptacle is maintained at a substantially lowertemperature than said container and means for utilizing said liquefiedrefrigerant for refrigeration purposes.

4. The system of claim 3 in which said receptacle has a substantialportion of its storage space below the lowest point of said containerbottom and communicates directly with said lowest portion of saidcontainer bottom.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said receptacle is provided with arefrigerant outlet near the bottom thereof, a valve for said outlet, afloat control for said valve in said receptacle, said float beingadapted to be buoyant in liquid refrigerant but to sink in lubricant.

6. In a refrigerating system, a container having a sloping bottom and abody of lubricant therein, a compressor adapted to discharge into saidcontainer operating on a refrigerant which in liquid phase is heavierthan said lubricant, means for condensing said compressed refrigerant, aliquid refrigerant storage receptacle having a portion of its storagespace below the lowest point of said container bottom and communicatingdirectly with said lowest point, said receptacle being so disposedrelative to said container that during normal operation, with normalheat dissipation, said receptacle is maintained at a substantially lowertemperature than said container, means for conducting liquefiedrefrigerant to said receptacle, said receptacle having an outlet nearthe bottom thereof, a valve for said outlet, a float control for saidvalve, said float beingadapted to sink in lubricant but float inrefrigerant, and means for utilizing said-liquefied refrigerant forrefrigeration purposes.

7 The system of claim 2, wherein said receptacle top directlycommunicates with a region in said container interior normally above thetop of said receptacle.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the top of said receptacle directlycommunicates with the interior of said container.

9. In a refrigerating system, a container having a body of lubricanttherein, a compressor adapted to discharge into said container operating on a refrigerant which in liquid phase is heavier than saidlubricant, means for condensing said compressed refrigerant anddepositing said condensed refrigerant in said container, a liquidrefrigerant storage receptacle having a substantial portion of itsstorage space below said container bottom and communicating therewithand adapted to induce a flow therein of said liquefied refrigerant fromsaid container, said receptacle being so disposed relative to saidcontainer that during normal operation, with normal heat dissipation,said receptacle is maintained at a substantially lower temperature thansaid container, said receptacle having an outlet near the bottomthereof, a valve for controlling said outlet, 2. float control for saidvalve, said float beingadapted to sink in said lubricant and float insaid refrigerant, means establishing gaseous communication between saidreceptacle top and a region in said container normally above any liquidlevel therein, and means for utilizing said liquefied refrigerant forrefrigeration purposes.

. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein saidcontainer has a sloping bottomand said receptacle communicates directly with the lowermost portion ofsaid bottom. I

11. In a refrigeration system, a container having a body of lubricanttherein, a compressoradapted to discharge into said container operatingon a refrigerant which in liquid phase is heavier than said lubricant, acondenser having both of its openings communicating with said containerwhereby all condensed refrigerant is deposited as a liquid in saidcontainer, a liquid refrigerant storage receptacle communicating withsaid container and adapted to induce a flow therein of said liquefiedrefrigerant from said container, said receptacle being so disposedrelative to said container that during normal operation, with normalheat dissipation, said receptacle is maintained at a substantially lowertemperature than said container and means for utilizing said liquefiedrefrigerant for refrigeration purposes.

i 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said receptacle has a substantialportion of its storage space below said container bottom.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said container is provided with asloping bottom, said receptacle having a substantial portion of itsstorage space below the lowest point of said container bottom andcommunicating directly with said lowest point.

14. In a refrigerating system, a container having a body of lubricanttherein, a compressor adapted to discharge into said container operatingon a refrigerant which in liquid phase is heavier than said lubricant, acondenser having both of" its openings in communication with saidcontainer whereby all liquefledrefrigerant is .deposited in saidcontainer, a liquid refrigerant storage receptacle having a substantialportion of its storage space below said container bottom andcommunicating therewith and adapted to induce a flow therein of saidliquid refrigerant from said container, said receptacle being so'disposed relative to said container that during normal operation, withnormal heat dissipation, said receptacle is maintained at asubstantially lower temperature than said container, said receptaclehaving an outlet near the bottom thereof, a valve controlling saidoutlet, a float control for said valve, said float being adapted to sinkin lubricant but float in refrigerant, and means for'utilizing saidliquefied refrigerant for refrigeration purposes.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said container bottom slopes withsaid receptacle communicating directly with the lowermost portion ofsaid container bottom.

16. In a refrigerating system, a container having a-body of lubricanttherein, a compressor adapted to discharge into said container andoperatingon a refrigerant which in liquid phase is heavier than saidlubricant, a condenser having both openings directly communicating withsaid container whereby all liquefied refrigerant is deposited in saidcontainer, a liquid refrigerant storage receptacle communicating withsaid container and adapted to induce a flow therein of said liquidrefrigerant from said container, said receptacle being so disposedrelative to said container that during normal operation, with normalheat dissipation, said receptacle is maintained at a substantially lowertemperature than said container, means for establishing gaseouscommunication between the top of said receptacle and the interior ofsaid container, andmeans for utilizing said liquefied refrigerant forrefrigeration purposes.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said container has a sloping bottom,the lowermost point of which is in direct communication with saidreceptacle.

18. In a refrigerating, system, a container having a sloping bottom anda body of lubricant therein, a compressor adapted to discharge into saidcontainer operating on a refrigerant which in liquid phase is heavierthan said lubricant, a condenser having both its openings directlycommunicating with said container at points above any normal liquidlevel, whereby all liquefied refrigerant is deposited in said container,a liquid refrigerant storage receptacle having a substantial portion ofits storage space below the lowest point of said container bottom anddirectly communicating with said lowest point and adapted to induce aflow therein of said liquefied refrigerant from said container, saidreceptacle being so disposed relative to said container that duringnormal operation, with normal heat dissipation, said receptacle ismaintained at a substantially lower temperature than said container,said receptacle having an outlet, near the bottom thereof, a valve forcontrolling said outlet, a float control for said valve, said floatadapted to sink in lubricant but float in refrigerant, means forestablishing gaseous'communication between said receptacle top and aregion in said container normally above any liquid level, and means forutilizing said liquefied refrigerant for refrigeration purposes.

19. In a refrigerating system, a container having a body of lubricanttherein, a compressor disposed in said container adapted to dischargetherein and operating on a refrigerant which in liquid phase is heavierthan said lubricant, said container having a bottom a portion of whichis shaped as a liquid storage receptacle and constituting the lowestportion of said container, said receptacle being so disposed relative tosaid container that during normal operation, with normal heatdissipation, said receptacle is maintained at a substantially lowertemperature than said container, means for condensing said compressedrefrigerant and depositing said condensed refrigerant in said container,said condensed refrigerant being adapted to drop through said body oflubricant and collect insaid storage receptacle, said receptaclehavingan outlet near the bottom thereof, a valve for controlling saidoutlet, a float control for said valve, said float being adapted to sinkin lubricant and float in refrigerant, and means for utilizing saidliquefied refrigerant for refrigeration purposes.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein a condenser is provided having bothopenings communicating with said container and said container bottomslopes toward said receptacle.

ANTHONY T. STOCK.

